The research group "Nunkui Wakan", whose name in the Shuar language means "Spirit of the Earth", is dedicated to bioprospecting of natural resources in Ecuador, focusing on the identification of active plant ingredients, evaluation of their toxicity and seed conservation. Its mission is to expand knowledge about the sustainable use of biodiversity for the benefit of humans and the protection of the ecosystem. The group's vision is to become a reference in environmental and biotechnological studies, promoting rational management of Ecuadorian biodiversity. Additionally, the group seeks to integrate the ancestral knowledge of native communities into its research, with the aim of developing new applications that improve the quality of life. With the biological wealth that Ecuador has, the group is committed to following the tradition of knowledge about the use of natural resources, thus contributing to sustainability and social well-being.

Research lines:

1. Biodiversity and genetic resources
2. Bioprospecting of secondary metabolites
3. animal biotechnology
4. Molecular study of animal pathologies

Coordinator:

Marco Fernando Cerna Cevallos ([email protected])